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NY Minute: Should New York legalize marijuana? Manhattan Senator pitches pro-pot law

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In this Oct. 16, 2013, file photo, Monique Rydberg, left, packages medical marijuana, as Jeff Clark, right, awaits patients at The Joint, a medical marijuana cooperative in Seattle. A New York state senator has introduced a bill to legalize marijuana in New York.
(Ted S. Warren | Associated Press)

Manhattan state Sen. Liz Krueger unveiled a bill that would legalize marijuana in New York state and impose a $50-per-ounce excise tax. Gov. Andrew Cuomo immediately rejected the idea. Senate Republicans were cool on Krueger's bill, and Cuomo's office called it a "non-starter." Kreuger said she hasn't inhaled pot since the 1970s. Washington and Colorado are the only states that already allow non-medical marijuana use.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, battered by scandals last year, says he's returning to the post with the support of his fellow Democrats.

With just over a month since New Yorkers approved commercial casinos, the race is on to build them. Several groups are jockeying for the Capital District slot. Mall developer Thomas Wilton is pitching one in Seneca County.

And yes, Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pontiff, was named Time Magazine's person of the year.

Tweet of the Day

@LizKrueger Thank you State Senator Liz Kreuger! You are one of my heroes. My mom needs med marijuana for chronic intractable pain.